Articles

GSM Acronyms and Glossary

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1
1G	See First Generation Cellular
2
2.5G	2.5G cellular systems allow a mobile station to be "always-online" for sending and receiving packet data.
2G	See Second Generation Cellular
3
3G	See Third Generation Cellular
8
802.11	802.11 refers to a family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless LAN technology. 802.11 specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client and a base station or between two wireless clients. The IEEE accepted the specification in 1997. There are several specifications in the 802.11 family: 802.11 -- applies to wireless LANs and provides 1 or 2 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band using either frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS). 802.11a -- an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANs and provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5GHz band. 802.11a uses an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing encoding scheme rather than FHSS or DSSS. 802.11b (also referred to as 802.11 High Rate or Wi-Fi) -- an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANS and provides 11 Mbps transmission (with a fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11b uses only DSSS. 802.11b was a 1999 ratification to the original 802.11 standard, allowing wireless functionality comparable to Ethernet. 802.11g -- applies to wireless LANs and provides 20+ Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. Read more about Wi-Fi
A
Air Interface	The standard operating system of a wireless network. Air interface technologies include: AMPS, TDMA, CDMA and GSM.
AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service)	An analog cellular phone service standard used in Canada and the US.
Analog	A method of modulating radio signals so that they can carry information such as voice or data.
Authentication	A feature used to reduce fraud by confirming the identity of a phone to the wireless network.
B
Band/Mode	Indicates of the kind of wireless systems on which your phone will work. Band refers to the phone's ability to operate within specific digital frequency ranges (800MHz digital or 1900MHz PCS). Mode refers to the phone's ability to work with both analog and digital networks. For example, a Tri-Mode phone is both Dual Mode and Dual Band, meaning it will work on analog, digital and PCS networks and can switch to analog when a digital signal is not available
Bandwidth	Describes the transmission capacity of a medium in terms of a range of frequencies. A greater bandwidth indicates the ability to transmit a greater amount of data over a given period of time.
Bluetooth	Bluetooth is a specification for a small form-factor, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet. It will enable users to connect a wide range of computing and telecommunications devices easily and simply, without the need to buy, carry, or connect cables. Read more about Bluetooth
BSS	GSM Base Station System
C
Carrier	A company that provides telecommunications services.
CCSS7	Common Channel Signalling System Number 7
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)	A digital communication technology used by some carriers to provide PCS service. Other technologies used are TDMA and GSM.
CDMA 2000	3G CDMA evolution from cdmaONE supported by cdmaONE operators. Phase 1 provides 144 Kbps data rate and Phase 2 up to 2 Mbps. See Third Generation.
CDMA ONE	The name used by the CDMA Development Group (CDG) for CDMA networks (IS-95) using 2nd-generation digital technology.
CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data)	An enhanced packet overlay on analog cell phone networks used to transmit and receive data. This technology allows data files to be broken into a number of packets and sent along idle channels of existing cellular voice networks. CDPD provides 19.2 Kbps and is deployed by AT&T among several other carriers.
Cell	In personal communications systems (cellular mobile phone systems) a cell is the geographic area served by a single base station. Cells are arranged so that base-station frequencies can be reused between cells. The area surrounding a cell site. The area in which calls are handled by a particular cell site.
Cellphone Jammer	A cell phone jammer (or cellular jammer) is a transmitting device designed to interfere with the operation of cell phones. A cell phone jammer works by jamming the signals travelling between the cell phone and the base station. Current technology allows an effective cell phone jammer to be constructed in a unit the size of a cell phone. Applications for a cell phone jammer include law enforcement and preventing use of cell phones in restaurants and other public areas.
Cell Site	The transmission and reception equipment, including the base station antenna, that connects a cellular phone to the network.
Cellular	The type of wireless communication that is most familiar to mobile phones users. Called 'cellular' because the system uses many base stations to divide a service area into multiple 'cells'. Cellular calls are transferred from base station to base station as a user travels from cell to cell.
Channel Coding	Channel coding is the technique of protecting message signals from signal impairments by adding redundancy to the message signal.
Common Channel Signalling System Number 7 (CCSS7)	Common Channel Signalling System Number 7 is the full name of the ITU SS7 signalling system.
Coverage	Refers to the region within which a paging receiver can reliably receive the transmission of the paging signals.
CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC)	A forum for parties, with CRTC assistance, to resolve local competition implementation issues of a technological, operational or administrative nature and to resolve other telecommunications issues.
CSD	Circuit Switched Data (CSD) is the original form of data transmission developed for TDMA-based mobile phone systems like GSM. CSD uses a single radio time slot to deliver 9.6 kbit/s data transmission to the GSM Network and Switching Subsystem where it could be connected through the equivalent of a normal modem to the PSTN allowing direct calls to any dial up service. Read more about CSD
D
Decibel (dB)	A unit of measure used to express relative difference in power or intensity of sound.
Digital	A method of encoding information using a binary code of 0s and 1s. Most newer wireless phones and networks use digital technology.
Digital PCS	Digital PCS (Personal Communications Service) combines a variety of advanced features and enhanced services. Features include Call Display, which displays the phone number or name of an incoming call; and Text Messaging, which allows you to receive numeric and/or text, messages on your phone display. Digital PCS also provides you with increased call privacy and security and increases battery stand-by time.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)	Computer manipulation of analog signals (commonly sound or image), which have been converted to digital form (sampled). Digital Signal Processing Chips usually have more then one clock, whereas microprocessor chips usually have only one. Also DSP chips usually have particularly wide busses and higher clock speeds. DSP chips typically have a single cycle instruction, Harvard architecture, and multiply and accumulate instructions. They can either be fixed point or can also include floating point arithmetic. Microprocessors are more general purpose CPU's with a math processor jumping in when they see an instruction that the main CPU cannot handle. One key phrase behind most of the designs for DSP is “ think everything is for speed.”
Dual Band (dual mode)	A feature on some wireless phones that allows the handset to operate on both analog and digital systems, using either the 800 MHz cellular or the 1900 MHz PCS frequencies.
Dual-Tone Multifrequency (DTMF)	The keypad signaling technology that generates two distinct tones when each key is pressed. This system of “tone dialing” allows navigation of businesses' voice menus and other advanced calling services. All wireless phones use DTMF dialing. Also referred to as TouchTone.
Duplex	As in ordinary telephone service, a characteristic of a communications system where simultaneous transmission and reception is possible.
E
EDGE	See Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution
Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE)	Like the general packet radio services (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evoluation (EDGE) is designed to work side-by-side with existing GSM implementations. EDGE is the Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution standard that is part of the GSM capabilities, and increases packet data delivery speed to up to 384 kb/s while mobile. EDGE has, in itself, been accepted by the ITU as a 3G standard. Read more about EDGE
Equalisation	A GSM receiver employs an adaptive equalizer to overcome the impact of non-ideal channel characteristics caused by multipath propagation.
ESN (Electronic Serial Number)	The unique serial number of a cellular phone that identifies it to the cellular system for the purpose and placing and receiving calls.
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)	The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) develops telecommunications standards in many areas, including mobile telephones (GSM), trunked radio (TETRA) and digital television (DVB).
F
Fade	A fade is a slow change in signal strength.
First Generation Cellular (1G)	First-generation cellular systems are based on analog communications technology. Read more about 1G
Fixed Wireless	Fixed wireless refers to wireless devices or systems that are situated in fixed locations, such as an office or home, as opposed to devices that are mobile, such as cell phones and PDAs. Fixed wireless devices normally derive their electrical power from utility mains, as opposed to portable wireless devices that normally derive their power from batteries. The point-to-point signal transmissions occur through the air over a terrestrial microwave platform rather than through copper or fiber cables; therefore, fixed wireless does not require satellite feeds or local phone service. The advantages of fixed wireless include the ability to connect with users in remote areas without the need for laying new cables and the capacity for broad bandwidth that is not impeded by fiber or cable capacities.
G
Global Roaming	A subscriber to one GSM network operator can use their GSM mobile phone to communicate through the network of a different network operator. This feaure of GSM is known as global roaming.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)	The GPRS (general packet radio service)is a 2.5G add-on to GSM and other second generation cellular communications systems that provides an always-on packet data capability. GPRS is the General Packet Radio Service that is part of the GSM standard and delivers "always-on" wireless packet data services to GSM customers. GPRS can provide packet data speeds of up to 115 kb/s. GPRS achieves faster connection speeds thanks to two cutting-edge technologies. The first is the General Packet. Rather than sending information in a steady stream through a single channel as current phones do, a GPRS-enabled phone (or other device) breaks the information down into "packets" and sends them over multiple channels (up to eight). Each packet travels by the quickest available route to the recipient, where it is reassembled into the original message. Sending packets by several different channels increases the speed of transmission and cuts down on signal errors. The second big idea in GPRS is Radio Service. Like a radio, a GPRS-enabled phone or data device is "always on". As long as you have your Motorola GPRS phone switched on, you have an open channel for sending and receiving text messages, updates from the web and other data. You'll be able to exchange files and browse the web with your mobile phone as easily as you do now with your PC at home or at work. You won't even have to log on – with GPRS you'll always be on. Read more about GPRS
GSM 1800	The GSM 1800 band provides for a GSM uplink in the range 1710-1785 MHz, a a GSM downlink in the range 1805-1880 MHz.
GSM 1900	The GSM 1800 band provides for a GSM uplink in the range 1850-1910 MHz, a a GSM downlink in the range 1930-1990 MHz.
GSM 900	The GSM 900 band provides for a GSM uplink in the range 890-915 MHz, a a GSM downlink in the range 935-960 MHz.
GSM Affiliation	Affiliation is the process by which a GSM mobile station joins a network when it is switched on.
GSM Air Interface	The GSM air interface operates in the UHF frequency band.
GSM Architecture	A GSM network consists of the mobile station, the base station system, the switching system, and the operation and support system.
GSM Base Station System (BSS)	The GSM base station system (BSS) provides the interface between the GSM mobile phone and other parts of the GSM network.
GSM Car Alarm	A GSM car alarm is a burglar alarm for a car that uses a GSM network to inform the owner of the car when it is stolen.
GSM Car Phone	A GSM phone is a GSM mobile phone that is designed to be mounted in a car, rather than carried by hand.
GSM Channels	GSM provides two types of channel: traffic channels and signalling channels.
GSM Handover	Handover refers to the process by which a GSM mobile phone's affiliation is transferred from one base station to another.
GSM Interference	Any radio transmitter has the potential to cause interference with other electronic equipment. GSM mobile phones, because they transmit data in short time division multiple access (TDMA) bursts, are often believed to cause worse interference than other types of mobile telephone.
GSM Interworking Unit (GIWU)	The GSM Interworking Unit (GIWU) consists of both hardware and software that provides an interface to various networks for data communications.
GSM Operation and Support System (OSS)	The GSM operation and support system (OSS) is the functional entity from which the network operator monitors and controls the system.
GSM Power Control	To minimize co-channel interference and to conserve power, both the mobiles and the base transceiver station (BTS) operate at the lowest power level at which an acceptable signal quality can be maintained.
GSM Power Management	Power management is required in a GSM mobile phone to maximise the battery life.
GSM Radio Interface	The GSM radio interface operates in the UHF frequency band.
GSM Security	GSM provides a number of security services, including authentication, key generation, encryption and limited privacy.
GSM Services	A GSM network provides a large variety of services, including the voice service, facsimile service, data service, dual tone multifrequency service, SMS, MMS and cell broadcast service.
GSM Simlock	SIMlock is used by GSM network operators to restrict the operation of a mobile phone. Read more about SIM Lock
H
HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language)	A specialized version of HTML designed to enable wireless pagers, cell phones and other handheld devices to obtain information from Web pages. HDML was developed by Phone.com (formerly Unwired Planet) before the WAP specification was standardized. It is a subset of WAP with some features, not included in WAP. AT&T Wireless launched the first HDML-based service in 1996.
HSCSD	High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD), is an enhancement to Circuit Switched Data, the original data transmission mechanism of the GSM mobile phone system. As with CSD, channel allocation is done in circuit switched mode. The difference comes from the ability to use different coding methods and/or multiple time slots to increase data throughput. Read more about HSCSD
HSDPA	High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is a mobile telephony protocol and is sometimes referred to as a 3.5G (or "3?G") technology. It extends WCDMA in the same way that EV-DO extends CDMA2000. HSDPA provides a smooth evolutionary path for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks allowing for higher data capacity (up to 14.4 Mbit/s in the downlink). It is an evolution of the W-CDMA standard, designed to increase the available data rate by a factor of 5 or more. HSDPA defines a new W-CDMA channel, the high-speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) that operates in a different way from existing W-CDMA channels, but is only used for downlink communication to the mobile. Read more about HSDPA
I
I-mode	NTT DoCoMo's mobile Internet access, launched in February 1999. I-mode is an alternative to WAP, though it is only implemented in Japan. It offers Internet access and email service. While WAP uses HDML, I-mode relies on Compact HTML (C-HTML). Both languages are a simple version of HTML, for use on mobile phones. Today more than 7000 sites are I-mode compatible and offer a wide range of services over mobile phones: mobile banking, ticket reservation, cartoons downloading, etc.
I-Web	Now the Web is on your digital phone. The i-Web service allows you to retrieve Internet content from your digital phone. Visit websites, check stock quotes, sports scores, or movie listings, even send and receive email all from your digital phone.
IDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network)	A wireless communications technology from Motorola that provides support for voice, data, short messages (SMS) and dispatch radio (two-way radio) in one phone. Operating in the 800MHz and 1.5GHz bands and based on TDMA, iDEN uses Motorola's VSELP (Vector Sum Excited Linear Predictors) vocoder for voice compression and QAM modulation to deliver 64 Kbps over a 25KHz channel. Each 25KHz channel can be divided six times to transmit any mix of voice, data, dispatch or text message. Used by various carriers around the globe, Nextel Communications provides nationwide coverage in the U.S.
IMEI	See International Mobile Equipment Identity
IMSI	See International Mobile Subscriber Identity
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)	The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) provides for the integration of voice and data (as well as other formats such as video and graphics images) over a digital transmission network.
International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)	Each GSM mobile phone has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), which is used to identify the mobile phone but not the network subscriber using the phone.
International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)	The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a number uniquely identifying a GSM subscriber.
ISDN	See Integrated Services Digital Network
M
Messaging Gateway	A computer system that converts one messaging protocol to another. It provides an interface between two store and forward nodes, or message transfer agents (MTAs).
Metadata	Data that describes other data. The term refers to any file or database that holds information about another database's structure, attributes, processing or changes. Metadata surrounding the Simplewire service and wireless device data includes whether a mobile device is turned on or off, the geographic location, routing commands, screen size, the amount of characters a particular phone can receive, character support, two-way capabilities and any other phone features.
MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service)	The GSM MMS (multimedia messaging service) allows users to send and receive messages containing multimedia content (including images, video, audio and text).
Modulation	The shifting or translation of a signal from one frequency band to another is accomplished by the process of modulation.
Multiple Access	Multiple-access techniques aim to share a channel between two or more signals in such a way that each signal can be received without interference from another.
N
NAM (Number Assignment Module)	A component of a wireless phone that holds in electronic memory the telephone number and ESN of the phone.
Narrowband Services	A service enabling the two-way transmission of voice or data communications with speed in either direction not exceeding 64 Kbps.
O
Omni Antenna	A GSM omni antenna is an omnidirectional base station antenna.
One-Way Text-Messaging	Sending short (wireless data) messages to a smart phone, pager, wireless PDA or other handheld device via the Internet. Text-messaging implies sending short messages generally no more than a couple of hundred characters in length. In Europe, text-messaging was popularized by the GSM cell phone system's Short Messaging Service (SMS), which supports messages of up to 160 characters.
OSS	GSM Operation and Support System
P
PCS (Personal Communication Services)	Used to describe a newer class of wireless communications services recently authorized by the FCC. PCS systems use a different radio frequency(the 1.9 GHz band) than cellular phones and generally use all digital technology for transmission and reception.
PDC (Personal Digital Communications)	A Japanese digital cellular standard that supports SMS.
Peak Period(s)	Any time of day, as determined by a wireless carrier, when there is high levels of communications traffic on the system.
Personal Hands Free	Personal hands free is another term used to describe a hands free kit for a mobile phone.
Picture Message	Picture message is a term sometimes used to describe an MMS message.
PIM (Personal Information Manager)	A software feature that organizes frequently used information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers and appointments. Many wireless phones come with built-in PIMs.
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)	A formal name for the world-wide telephone network.
R
Radio-frequency fingerprinting	An electronic process that identifies each individual wireless handset by examining its unique radio transmission characteristics. Fingerprinting is used to reduce fraud since the illegal phone can not duplicate the legal phone's radio-frequency fingerprint.
Range	The range of a GSM system is affected by many factors.
Removing Simlock	SIMlock is used by GSM network operators to restrict the operation of a mobile phone. SIMlock can be removed by entering a special code.
RF (Radio Frequency)	A radio signal.
RF Noise	Undesired radio signals that alters a radio communications signal causing extraneous sounds during transmission and/or reception.
RFI (Radio Frequency Interference)	An undesired radio signal that interferes with a radio communications signal causing extraneous noise and/or signal dropouts.
Roam Access Numbers	A Roam Access number is a 7-digit (if local) and a 10-digit number (area code + a 7-digit number) that will connect your caller, with your specific location. If you are within the area that the Roaming Access Number serves, then the caller will pay the long distance. If you have traveled outside this area then the Roaming Access Number will still locate you, but you and the caller will both pay long distance.
Roaming	Using your wireless phone in an area outside its home coverage area. There is usually an additional charge for roaming.
Roaming Agreement	A agreement among wireless carriers allowing users to use their phone on systems other their own home systems. Roaming Fee charged for roaming.
S
SAR (specific absorption rates)	monitors the amount of radiation absorbed by human tissue when using your cell phone. SAR is the measure used by clinical researchers studying the potential relationship between wireless phones and cancer. It is important to know that there has been no known link to cancer in countless studies, however, there continues to be controversy and discussion around the link between cellular phones and health issues. These results are the highest rating with the phone next to the ear. N/A -The FCC did not put on their website SAR data on phones certified before 1998. The manufacturers still have not given us any SAR numbers on the old models.
Second Generation Cellular (2G)	Second-generation cellular systems are based on digital communications technology. GSM is a second-generation cellular system. Read more about 2G
Sector	In GSM, a sector is a cell that covers only part of the area around a base station.
Sectoring Antenna	A GSM omni antenna is a directional base station antenna. A sectoring antenna is used in GSM cells that cover only part of the area around a base station.
Sensitivity	A measure of a receiver's ability to viably receive weak radio signals.
Service Area	The geographic area served by a wireless system. Same as Coverage Area.
Service plan	A contract between a wireless carrier and a wireless subscriber that details the terms of the wireless service including rates for activation, access and per minute usage.
SIM Card	Smart card that gives GSM phones their user identity. SIM cards make it easy for phones to be rented or borrowed.
Smart Phone	A digital cellular phone that has text-messaging, web access and other data services along with voice.
SMS (Short Message Service)	The SMS (short message service) provides a mechanism for transmitting short messages to and from mobile phones. The service makes use of a short message service center (SMSC), which acts as a store-and-forward system for short messages. SMS Short Message Service is a feature available with some wireless phones that allow users to send and/or receive short alphanumeric messages. Short Message Service (SMS) is the transmission of short text messages to and from a mobile phone, fax machine and/or IP address. Messages must be no longer than 160 alpha-numeric characters and contain no images or graphics. Once a message is sent, it is received by a Short Message Service Center (SMSC), which must then get it to the appropriate mobile device. To do this, the SMSC sends a SMS Request to the home location register (HLR) to find the roaming customer. Once the HLR receives the request, it will respond to the SMSC with the subscriber's status: 1) inactive or active 2) where subscriber is roaming. If the response is "inactive", then the SMSC will hold onto the message for a period of time. When the subscriber accesses his device, the HLR sends a SMS Notification to the SMSC, and the SMSC will attempt delivery. The SMSC transfers the message in a Short Message Delivery Point to Point format to the serving system. The system pages the device, and if it responds, the message gets delivered. The SMSC receives verification that the message was received by the end user, then categorizes the message as "sent" and will not attempt to send again. The number of mobile-phone users expects to reach 500 million worldwide by 2003, and with the help of SMS, 75 percent of all cellular phones will be Internet-enabled.
SMSC (Short Message Service Center)	The hardware device submitting the messages. Currently, SMSC devices support binary formats. A software module called the SMS gateway is used to give instructions to the SMSC. The protocol described in this draft is proposed to provide a standard for service providers to interact with SMS gateways or SMS centersю
SNPP (Simple Network Paging Protocol)	A sequence of commands and replies where pages are delivered to individual paging terminals. The most obvious benefit is the elimination of the need for modems and phone lines to produce alphanumeric pages, and the ease of delivery of pages to terminals in other cities or countries.
Spectrum	The the entire range electromagnetic frequencies.
Spread Spectrum	A communications technology where a signal is transmitted over a broad range of frequencies and then re-assembled when received.
SS7 (Signalling System Number 7)	The SS7 (Signalling System Number 7) is an ITU standard for signalling in telephone networks.
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)	GSM mobile phones acquire their personality from a smart card known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). All the access rights (including identification for billing) are based on the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), rather than the mobile phone itself. SIM A Subscriber Identity Module is a card commonly used in a GSM phone. The card holds a microchip that stores information and encrypts voice and data transmissions, making it close to impossible to listen in on calls. The SIM card also stores data that identifies the caller to the network service provider. A pair of numbers that are unique within the entire GSM system identify each SIM. These numbers, IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) and Ki (Subscriber Authentication Key) are the basis for user authentication on different mobile networks throughout the world.
Switching System	The GSM switching system is the core of the GSM network.
System Selection Switch	A feature of some cellular phones that allows switching between 'A' and 'B' cellular carriers. This feature is often used when roaming.
T
TAP (Telocator Alphanumeric Protocol)	An SMS standard. The pre-cursor to TDP, a simple protocol dedicated to the forwarding of alphanumeric pages. Although the features and capabilities of TAP are in TDP, the TAP protocol may co-exist with TDP. The TAP protocol may be utilized to forward binary data to RF linked computers if input is formatted and processed.
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)	A digital communication technology used by some carriers to provide PCS service. Other technologies used are CDMA and GSM.
TDP/TME (Telocator Data Protocol)	A suite of protocols used for sending messages from a computer, through a paging system, to a mobile receiving computer. Together, these protocols define the flow of messages from input devices through several processing steps until the entire message is received by an RF linked computer. The set is compromised of several protocols including TME, TRT and TMC.
Text Message	Text message is another term for an SMS message.
Third Generation Cellular (3G)	Third-generation cellular systems will provide data rates up to 2 Mbps in areas of high population density, with rates reducing as a mobile station moves further from a base station. Read more about 3G
TNPP (Telocator Network Paging Protocol)	A one-way paging networking standard. TNPP is supported by most one-way and two-way messaging networks, but can only be used for one-way messaging. The TNPP protocol is used for moving pages from one paging system to another over standard lines.
Toll-Free Calling Area	An area in which calls can be placed without incurring long distance charges.
Tri Band (tri mode)	A GSM tri band (tri mode) mobile phone is able to operate in the GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900 bands. TriMode phone operates on two frequency bands, such as 800MHz and 1900MHz, as well as operating in both digital and analog networks.
Two-Way Text-Messaging	Sending short (wireless data) messages to a smart phone, pager, PDA or other handheld device from another web enabled device. Two-way implies that the device receiving the message is able to reply via text-messaging as well. Text-messaging implies sending short messages generally no more than a couple of hundred characters in length. In Europe, text-messaging was popularized by the GSM cell phone system's Short Messaging Service (SMS), which supports messages of up to 160 characters.
U
UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)	UMTS is the world's choice for 3rd Generation wireless service delivery, as defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). UMTS will speed the convergence between the telecommunications, information technology, media, and content industries. This will facilitate the delivery of new services and capabilities in low-cost, high-capacity mobile communications, with data rates of up to 2 Mbit/sec and worldwide roaming. Read more about UMTS
Unified Messaging	Unified Messaging is a service that stores all of your wireless voice, email and fax messages in one mailbox. By combining the power of the Internet with the mobility of cellular technology, it allows subscribers to retrieve, compose and manage their messages while remaining mobile. In addition to traditional voice mail features, Unified Messaging also allows you to: · Listen to emails on your wireless handset (through text to speech translation) · Listen to your voice messages over your PC (with Internet connection and speakers) · Listen to an email over the phone and reply to it with a voice message · Receive your own ten-digit fax number and forward faxes from your Inbox to another email address of your choice.
V
Voice Mail	A system that answers calls and allows users to reply to, save, delete or forward messages.
Voice over the Internet (VoIP)	Any technology providing voice telephony services over IP connections. This is the practice of using an Internet connection to pass voice data using IP instead of using the standard public switched telephone network. This allows a remote worker to function as if they are directly connected to a PBX even while at home or in a remote office. As well, it skips standard long distance charges, as the only connection is through an ISP. VoIP is being used more and more to keep corporate telephone costs down.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)	Private networks that are configured within a public network. Carriers build VPNs that appear as private national or international networks to the customer, but physically share backbone trunks with other customers. VPNs enjoy the security of a private network via access control and encryption, while taking advantage of the economies of scale and built-in management facilities of large public networks. VPNs have been built over X.25, Switched 56, frame relay and ATM technologies. The VPN adds an extra layer of security. A huge growth in VPN use is expected.
W
WAE (Wireless Application Environment)	The part of the WAP protocol that application and service developers use most in their work. The WAE consists of the WML and WMLScript specs as well as the Wireless Telephony Application Interface (WTAI) that specifies how WAP applications can access mobile phone functionality (initiate a call, send an SMS).
WAP	WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol. It is a global standard developed to make Internet services available for mobile users. Even though WAP is based on Internet technology, WAP and the Internet live side by side. A company or a person that has an Internet site can make the information available for mobile users by transforming the pages into WAP pages. To access WAP services you need a WAP compatible phone. Besides the WAP compatibility, WAP products have a large full graphic display and include a micro browser. Read more about WAP
WAP Alert	An exclusive Simplewire product that enables wireless devices to receive a reroute via text-message to a url where the user can access more information than can be provided within the character limit of a text-message.
WAP Stack	A set of protocols that covers the whole process of wireless content delivery: From the definition of WML and WML Script for creating the actual layout of the content to the specifications of security measures in the WTLS, and to the lowest parts of the stack dealing with the actual transport of content.
WCDMA	W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) is a type of 3G cellular network. W-CDMA is the technology behind the 3G UMTS standard and is allied with the 2G GSM standard. Read more about WCDMA
WCTP (Wireless Communication Transfer Protocol)	A protocol that transfers content between wireline and wireless devices. The protocol may operate over any desired transport protocol that is block oriented. The protocol itself deliberately does not address the issues of security or authentication of transactions in a highly secure manner.
WIM (Wireless Instant Messaging)	Bridges the gap between wired and wireless networks. WIM seamlessly allows a desktop user to instantly send a message to a handset.
WIN (Wireless Intelligent Network)	Transaction processing infrastructure for wireless systems.
Wireless Bridge	A device used to transmit and receive radio frequencies over the air between two LANs.
Wireless LAN	A local area network that uses radio frequency transmission over the air. Works like a cellular phone system with roaming between cells.
Wireless Modem	Modem and antenna for analog and digital cellphones, CDPD, ARDIS, BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network, etc.
Wireless Portal	A Web site that supports users with smart phones or alphanumeric pagers.
WMF (Wireless Message Format)	A standard format for presenting data received through a paging system to mobile computers. The application at the MED uses this format to encode binary data and control information sent to a remote device. This information is received completely intact by the MCD.
WML/WMLScript (Wireless Markup Language/Script)	The languages used to create WAP pages. WML is similar to the way HTML is used to create web pages and WMLScript is based on JavaScript. Both are adapted and optimized for a wireless environment (compression to save bandwidth).
WMP (Wireless Message Protocol) Server	Simplewire's very own WMP server allows the Wireless Message Gateway to accept all requests regardless of carrier, intelligently translate the information into the correct wireless protocol and route the information to the correct wireless carrier. Simplewire's WMP server is able to provide subscribers with a consistent and simple interface via the Internet to any wireless device. The WMP Server is Simplewire's core technology and includes four layers of the text-messaging network. They are the Acceptance and Delivery Layer, the Processing Layer, the Consolidation Layer and the Carrier Routing Layer.
WSP (Wireless Service Provider)	Any organization that delivers wireless services to its customers.
WTLS (Wireless Transport Layer Security)	The security layer of the WAP which provides privacy, data integrity and authentication for WAP services. WTLS, designed specifically for the wireless environment, is needed for the client and server to be authenticated in order for wireless transactions to remain secure and also because the connection needs to be encrypted. For example, a user making a transaction with a bank over a wireless device needs to know that the connection is secure and private and not subject to a security breach during transfer. WTLS is needed because mobile networks do not provide complete end-to-end security.